Society for Creative Anachronism dedicated to re-creating medieval life

Robert Buchanan, 40, right, Frank Drake, 39, middle, and Grant Harris, 17, practice for an upcoming battle on Jan. 15. All are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

ASHTON MCLEOD

By Michael OppermannCorrespondent

Published: Monday, January 25, 2010 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 25, 2010 at 12:57 a.m.

Although otherwise unremarkable, a campsite in the heart of the Ocala National Forest and a remote former roping arena in Anthony regularly transform into pseudo-medieval spectacles through the efforts of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Facts

TO LEARN MORE

For information about the Society for Creative Anachronism, visit the Web site www.sca.org.To learn more about the local Shire of Amurgorod, visit http://shireofamurgorod.org or call Janet Howard at 368-2423.For the schedule of the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville on Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 5-7, call 393-8536 or visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/programs_events/HMF/medieval_index.html

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Founded by medieval studies enthusiasts in Berkeley, Calif., in 1966, the society achieved international status through formation of regional kingdoms with systems of dependent baronies, shires and cantons.

The organization is dedicated to recreating and preserving pre-17th century cultural knowledge with an emphasis on European history, although individual members pursue interests ranging from Mongolian China and feudal Japan through ancient Egypt and pre-Columbian South America.

“Just about anything somebody is interested in has an area within the SCA,” said Janet Howard, known as the Honorable Lady Uesugi Yamaneko.

Howard is Seneschal of the Shire of Amugorod, which covers Marion and Levy counties and is part of the Kingdom of Trimaris, which serves most of Florida.

Trimaris is one of 19 kingdoms and was formed in 1985. It has gained notoriety for adopting isolated regions, including groups from Panama and Antarctica, and going so far as laying claim to outer space after members from NASA sent the kingdom's iconic triskele symbol to the moon.

The sound of swords ringing against shields may be the first thing outsiders notice when they first encounter a society event.

Prior experience is not necessary for membership, said Ruthann Macheski, a society member for 26 years, who goes by the name Condessa Castillana Rosa Diez y Rodriques.

“There are a lot of people who come into our organization and know nothing. You find what their interests are and guide and teach them.”

Jenny Harris, known as Lady Jeneuer Brock, never considered herself skilled at crafts when she joined 10 years ago but has become expert at wire weaving, spinning and sewing.

“I went to class and learned about naalbinding, an ancient Viking precursor to knitting,” Harris said.

One member from Tampa crafted an illuminated prayer book, known as a book of hours, from scratch, making her own parchment, inks, brushes, writing quills and book bindings before combining them and penning a scholarly paper on the production process.

As experts in historical crafts, many society members find a demand for their skills at school demonstrations and among Boy and Girl Scout groups trying to earn badges.

Those interested in becoming involved should contact a nearby group or attend an event in which the society participates, such as the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville, where they run several demonstration tents, or the Ocala Christmas Parade, in which they enter a float.

Howard said she became involved seven years ago because of her 12-year-old son's interest.

“He saw the demo at Hoggetowne and said, ‘I want to do this,' so we researched it and joined,” she said, adding that she finds group events to be very family oriented.

Descendents of original Berkeley participants are now third- and fourth-generation members.

For those who aren't already involved through family history, “a good way to get started is to come to a local event,” said Macheski. “You get to see just about everything that would be at the big events, but on a smaller scale.”

By contacting a local group, visitors can arrange for a member to teach them subtle points of etiquette and help them acclimate for an enjoyable first Society for Creative Anachronism experience.

“If an individual wants to get involved, we'll find somebody who is going to that event to be their sponsor, introduce them and show them around,” Macheski said.

<p>Although otherwise unremarkable, a campsite in the heart of the Ocala National Forest and a remote former roping arena in Anthony regularly transform into pseudo-medieval spectacles through the efforts of the Society for Creative Anachronism.</p><p>Founded by medieval studies enthusiasts in Berkeley, Calif., in 1966, the society achieved international status through formation of regional kingdoms with systems of dependent baronies, shires and cantons.</p><p>The organization is dedicated to recreating and preserving pre-17th century cultural knowledge with an emphasis on European history, although individual members pursue interests ranging from Mongolian China and feudal Japan through ancient Egypt and pre-Columbian South America.</p><p>“Just about anything somebody is interested in has an area within the SCA,” said Janet Howard, known as the Honorable Lady Uesugi Yamaneko.</p><p>Howard is Seneschal of the Shire of Amugorod, which covers Marion and Levy counties and is part of the Kingdom of Trimaris, which serves most of Florida.</p><p>Trimaris is one of 19 kingdoms and was formed in 1985. It has gained notoriety for adopting isolated regions, including groups from Panama and Antarctica, and going so far as laying claim to outer space after members from NASA sent the kingdom's iconic triskele symbol to the moon.</p><p>The sound of swords ringing against shields may be the first thing outsiders notice when they first encounter a society event.</p><p>In addition to martial activities such as armored combat, fencing, archery, siege weaponry, thrown weaponry and equestrian practice, the society's Arts and Sciences division studies such fields as cooking, brewing, weaving, costuming, calligraphy, metalworking, woodworking, music and dance.</p><p>Prior experience is not necessary for membership, said Ruthann Macheski, a society member for 26 years, who goes by the name Condessa Castillana Rosa Diez y Rodriques. </p><p>“There are a lot of people who come into our organization and know nothing. You find what their interests are and guide and teach them.”</p><p>Jenny Harris, known as Lady Jeneuer Brock, never considered herself skilled at crafts when she joined 10 years ago but has become expert at wire weaving, spinning and sewing.</p><p>“I went to class and learned about naalbinding, an ancient Viking precursor to knitting,” Harris said.</p><p>One member from Tampa crafted an illuminated prayer book, known as a book of hours, from scratch, making her own parchment, inks, brushes, writing quills and book bindings before combining them and penning a scholarly paper on the production process.</p><p>As experts in historical crafts, many society members find a demand for their skills at school demonstrations and among Boy and Girl Scout groups trying to earn badges.</p><p>Those interested in becoming involved should contact a nearby group or attend an event in which the society participates, such as the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville, where they run several demonstration tents, or the Ocala Christmas Parade, in which they enter a float.</p><p>Howard said she became involved seven years ago because of her 12-year-old son's interest.</p><p>“He saw the demo at Hoggetowne and said, 'I want to do this,' so we researched it and joined,” she said, adding that she finds group events to be very family oriented.</p><p>Descendents of original Berkeley participants are now third- and fourth-generation members.</p><p>For those who aren't already involved through family history, “a good way to get started is to come to a local event,” said Macheski. “You get to see just about everything that would be at the big events, but on a smaller scale.”</p><p>By contacting a local group, visitors can arrange for a member to teach them subtle points of etiquette and help them acclimate for an enjoyable first Society for Creative Anachronism experience.</p><p>“If an individual wants to get involved, we'll find somebody who is going to that event to be their sponsor, introduce them and show them around,” Macheski said.</p>